







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| These days I'm into 60's, 70's remixes. | |
| It's £135 per week! | |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | |
| Depends on where you look. | |
| I've found 2, too, there aren't many options in Camden Lock. | |
| That's not nice, Mike! | |
| My favourite movie is Pulp Fiction. | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| I mostly cook meat, fish and chicken dishes. | |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | |
| Does that help you to believe me? | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| I don't know, maybe it helps a bit! | |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | |